Digital Cytology as the Tool for Organization of Cytology Online Quality Assurance Programs

Abstract

The article aims at evaluating the use of telecytology and laboratory information management system (LIMS) as tools for the implementation of online cytology quality assurance programs under the conditions of Georgia. Five hundred gynecological cytology cases (benign – 350; atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) – 80; low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) – 35; high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) - 35) were randomly selected. The randomization has been done by using the Research Randomizer. Digital images were obtained in all cases at a maximum resolution of 2048x1536 pixels. Then, all 500 cases (medical data and images) were uploaded to the LIMS and were labelled “QA”. Diagnosis of glass slides and digital images were made independently in a double-blind manner by three certified cytologists, commencing with the diagnosis of “QA” cases followed by a diagnosis of glass slides four months later. It was found that the diagnoses of “QA” cases correspond with initial diagnoses.